Kia ora tatou, Mālō e lele, Ann yeong haseyo, Ni hao, Dzień dobry,

Welcome to the new school year - a start like no other!

To our families affected by the significant weather events in Auckland – we are all thinking of you and hope that the damage and chaos the floods have created, will be swiftly cleaned up. Kia kaha to you all.

A special shout out to our school property manager, Shaun Weston. Shaun has been instrumental in following up with the Ministry and property team requirements from the wet weather aftermath. He has worked tirelessly since last Wednesday lifting carpet in our affected areas, drying everything out as well as clearing all the ground debris. Thank you Shaun. Our school is safe and healthy to be in, the grounds are sparkling and there is no evidence of flooding damage in sight.

Despite starting 2023 differently than how we were anticipating, we have had an amazing start to the school year. It was wonderful to have our Pōwhiri yesterday to welcome our new staff, 46 new students and whanau. It is important to us that your move to our school is as easy as possible. If there is anything you need to know, please do ask. No question is ever too small.

I would like to acknowledge the support from all our families for ensuring the children are set up for a successful school year. We are very mindful that the start of the school year can be very expensive, so thank you. Please keep in mind we welcome expenses to be paid off over time to spread the cost over the year if this is an option you would prefer.

Hats

Well done to those children who have already worn their hat outside to start the school year. All New Zealand schools are required to ensure that hats are worn in summer months. If a hat is not worn during Term 1 and Term 4, children must stay in shaded areas. This is monitored by school staff. Children may wear a hat of their choice or purchase a school hat from our uniform providers Janbells Ltd, phone (09)47834550

Please name your child’s hat and other clothing.

8.50am Start time for school day

Pinehill School uses an electronic roll that has approval from the Ministry of Education. The roll will be taken twice daily at 8.50am and 1.30pm. It is important for you to ensure that your child is at school promptly by 8.50am. Many important notices are also shared at this time. Our school gates open at 8.15am. Students are able to arrive anytime between 8:15am - 8:45am. Arriving by 8.40am will allow your child to get ready for learning, greet their teacher and mix with their peers, ensuring a positive and stress free start to the day.

Weekly Newsletter

Our newsletter will be published every Wednesday via our school app and linked to the website. Please read the newsletters carefully as they contain vital information that will help your child to stay safe, and be successful and involved in the life of the school.

School Assembly

Our whole school assemblies will continue to be held every Tuesday afternoon in the hall at 2:15pm. Each week one of our classes has the opportunity to host the assembly and to be up on stage, sharing their learning with the rest of the school. Next Tuesday, R18 are first up on stage to share the start of their year with the school. You can find out which week your child’s class is presenting and sharing learning on the school website/calendar section. Our assemblies are an afternoon full of learning celebration and awards, as shields for each class are also awarded. Parents, whanau, family members are always welcome to attend.

Pinehill School Community Picnic is coming

A heads up that we have our Pinehill School Community Picnic on Thursday 2nd March from 5pm-7pm on the school field. This is an opportunity for the whole family to come along with a picnic rug or chairs and dinner to meet other families in your child’s class as well as your child’s teacher. For those that would prefer to buy dinner to bring along, you may want to stop in at one of the many local food outlets on the way to the picnic, or purchase something to eat from one of the food stands the FOPS (Friends of Pinehill School) are organising to be onsite for this event. We will have some fun games take place on the field, such as sack races, egg and spoon races and tug of war. The staff and FOPS will all be there. We hope you can join us for a fun evening. Mark it in your calendars and keep it free.

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Waitangi Day on Monday and spent some time reflecting on why this day is so important for us as New Zealanders. I also wish you all a very happy Chinese New Year, as we commence the Year of the Rabbit.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini

Success is not the work of one but the work of many.

Ngā mihi nui,

Carla Veldman, Principal